TWO
Austin chuckled as he took hold of Brittany’s hand and pulled it around his neck and to his mouth. He pressed a kiss on her wrist. She was confusing him, which wasn’t too hard to do because he was extremely exhausted today. But what was her game? Why did she act so innocent? And especially, what was with all of the personal questions? Perhaps if he hadn’t been up for forty-eight hours straight, he’d be able to think clearly.
He should send Brittany on her way. Derek’s so-called Birthday surprise wasn’t appreciated right now. Not when Austin couldn’t make this meeting useful. He’d told Derek not to send him anyone for his birthday, but his friend had never listened before, so why should he start now? Derek also enjoyed clowning around. Was this one of his friend’s jokes?
“You have such wonderful hands, Brittany.”
“Thank you,” she answered in a tight voice as she pulled her hand away.
Right now in his exhausted state, he wanted her hands back on his neck so he could feel the warmth flowing through his body from her tender touch, once again. But apparently, she wanted to talk. Strange, since most of the girls Derek found for him rarely wanted to talk.
Sighing, he relaxed back in the chair. Thankfully, she returned to massaging his neck. “You think Hillary and I were lovers?” He laughed weakly. “How could we be lovers if there was no love between us?”
“You didn’t love her?”
“No.”
“Were you two in a fight or something?”
“Brittany, why are you asking these questions? What does it have to do with your time with me?”
Her fingers froze, as did the hot breath blowing against his neck. Suddenly, she stepped back.
“Well, I better go,” she whispered.
His breath stalled in his throat. He couldn’t let her leave now. When she tried to move past him, he grabbed hold of her arm. “Hey, Brittany, I’m truly sorry about today. I’m extremely exhausted, and I must apologize. I’ve been up for forty-eight hours straight making a business deal.”
The smile she gave him was fake as her gaze bounced between his eyes and the grip he had on her arm. “That’s all right. I understand.”
He didn’t want her to leave like this. Derek would be upset at him for not allowing his friend to entertain him. Austin pulled on her arm and her legs bumped against his exposed knees, making his robe part, displaying more of his legs. Her eyes widened, and he nearly laughed. What was with her innocent act? Was this really one of Derek’s jokes?
“Brittany, since I don’t want you to think this was a total waste of your time, will you do something for me?”
Slowly her gaze lifted and met his eyes. “What’s that?”
“Will you give me a kiss?”
Confusion consumed her expression along with the crimson color spreading to her cheeks. Once again, he wanted to laugh. She acted like an innocent girl, fresh out of an all girl’s school. That’s probably what Derek did—found him a girl who was soon going to become a nun.
When he first saw Brittany standing in his living room, she looked like most of the girls Derek had fixed up for him—sexy dress, with long hair flowing over their shoulders. Brittany was no different, except she was a lot prettier. He really liked how toned her body was, but he especially liked her long, black hair. Touching it to see if it was as soft as it looked was tempting, but he really was tired and needed sleep. But, he could spare a few minutes of her kiss. It would give him something to dream about.
“I…don’t think so, Austin. Not this time. As you said, you’re really tired, and I should be going.”
This one was a tease. Derek must have paid her good money to trick him like this. Well, he couldn’t have that. He’d show his friend who was in charge now.
Playfully, he tugged on her arm, pulling her nearer. “Come on, sweetie. I don’t want you leaving here thinking you haven’t earned you payment.”
Suddenly, her bright red face faded, leaving it almost white. Panic coated her wide eyes. Even her lips quivered.
She licked her lips and gave him a shaky smile. “Well, if you insist. Now let me go.”
The fear in her eyes worried him. So perhaps he’d been mistaken about Derek’s joke. Obviously, this woman was nervous…either that or she was a very good actress.
Her chest rose and fell quickly, and the gushes of air coming out of her mouth blew across his face. He should stop this immediately. He’d never been one to force a woman, and he wasn’t going to start now.
Her legs shook as she stepped toward him. He held up a hand to stop her. “Brittany, if you don’t want to—”
Suddenly, she fell against him. Whether she’d tripped, or if it was on purpose, she was halfway on his lap, anyway. Her face flamed a deeper red as the palms of her hands moved over his chest. One slipped inside of his robe, and he sucked in a breath. The touch was electrifying, and jolted him to awareness.
